The Beacon Message Board

I recently got hold of a fantastic '93 Mercatone Uno Medeghini skinsuit for a song on Italian ebay. The thing is great - see-thu white material sections (!!!) and an original (though thankfully unused) chamois that is basically just a panel of flocked cotton - the 90's idea of comfort.


Now although I'd be happy to see how this rather spartan seat padding rides its unfortunately not in great condition on a close inspection. There's a weird coating under one of the layers of material that has turned into a kind of brown sand and this is seeping out of holes made by some degrading stitching around the pad. In short - it aint gonna last long.


So the question is - has anyone replaced a chamois on a pair of shorts? If so any tips / pointers to a good supplier or service? I've found some placed in Italy that will sew in a new (modern) one for around 24EUR but I have a friend who works a mean sewing machine so could do it ourselves I think.

Any help greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
Dave

I have, a long time ago. It's incredibly fiddly work, because everything that your are trying to stitch is curved and therefore trying to get away from you, usually in a different direction from the thing you are trying to stitch it to. A perfectionist approach to pinning before sewing is required, and the chances of ending up with a misshapen garment and/or creased insert are ever-present.

Out of interest, what do you envisage using this skinsuit for? You can use it in club TTs, but not in opens and not in most BC events. Might turn a few heads on a private training ride, though.

Thanks for the tips - yeah I can imagine its dead fiddly. Maybe worth sending it off to professionals.

I'm just into 80s and 90s kit - i'd just be wearing it training or on hols up the cols

Hello Dave.

I've got some eighties and nineties kit for sale if you're still interested.

Thanks Martin

Pm'd you Martin!

I Got the chamois replaced by a company called DrPad in the end:
http://drpad.it/en/home-2/

They were really communicative and helpful - they don't do many 1-offs but are happy to add a garment to their production que. Ended up being ~30EUR which is brilliant considering the quality of the pad and the stitching they've done. Given a very old skinsuit a new lease of life!